Vietnam Trade Office in India steps up diverse, effective trade promotion in Q1 2026

Amid increasingly complex global economic developments, the acceleration of supply chain shifts and a growing need for market diversification, economic and trade relations between Vietnam and India have maintained positive momentum. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the Trade Office in India proactively and synchronously rolled out diverse and effective trade promotion activities in an innovative and substantive manner, with businesses as the focal point.

By flexibly combining in-person and online promotion, product promotion with investment connection, and market information provision with in-depth enterprise support, the office has contributed to expanding export markets, boosting investment cooperation, and enhancing the position of Vietnamese products in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

Actively supporting businesses

From the beginning of the year, the office has focused on strongly promoting activities to support Vietnamese enterprises’ participation in international fairs and exhibitions in India. These serve as important promotion channels enabling businesses to directly access distribution systems, importers, investors and local consumers. In the first quarter of 2026, the office directly participated in, supported and facilitated connections for Vietnamese enterprises at around 10 major fairs and exhibitions across various Indian states in sectors such as food, processing industries, plastics, textiles and garments, electronics, information technology, tourism and services.

A highlight of these activities was Indusfood 2026, held from January 8 to 10 at the India Exposition Mart Limited (IEML) in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. At the event, the Trade Office organised the Vietnam national pavilion covering 27 sq.m, showcasing key products such as processed agricultural goods, cashew nuts, coffee, spices, packaged foods and consumer goods. The pavilion attracted a large number of visitors, importers and Indian retail partners, contributing to promoting high-quality Vietnamese products and facilitating substantive business matching.

At the AAHAR - International Food & Hospitality Fair 2026, held from March 1 to 4 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, the office continued to support Vietnamese enterprises in exhibiting products and meeting major importers in the food, hotel, restaurant and catering sectors. As one of India’s largest specialised fairs, the event gathered thousands of businesses from around the world. The active presence of Vietnamese firms at AAHAR helped strengthen the position of Vietnam’s food products in the South Asian market.

In the industrial and manufacturing sector, from January 28 to 30, the office actively supported Vietnamese electronics enterprises to participate in IEMI 2026, aiming to enhance trade connections, seek partners and expand supply chains. Activities included direct matchmaking, B2B sessions and coordination with organisers to create optimal conditions for Vietnamese firms. This participation is part of a broader strategy to promote technology and electronics cooperation between the two countries and to integrate Vietnamese enterprises more deeply into global supply chains.

At the same time, the office has promoted cooperation in new, high value-added sectors. In March 2026, it actively supported a Vietnamese business delegation to attend IndiaSoft 2026 in New Delhi, a major event for India’s IT and digital services industry. The event serves as an important platform for connection in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, fintech, IoT, cybersecurity and digital transformation. This reflects a shift in trade promotion towards not only traditional goods but also the digital economy and high-tech services.

In addition to bringing Vietnamese enterprises to the Indian market, the office has proactively invited and organised delegations of Indian enterprises and major associations to visit Vietnam to explore the market, participate in trade fairs and seek investment opportunities. This two-way promotion approach has proven effective in enhancing market confidence and laying a foundation for long-term cooperation.

Organising Indian business delegations to Vietnam for trade fairs and market exploration

In February 2026, under the direction of the Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the office worked closely with major Indian associations and corporations such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and regional trade promotion organisations to invite a delegation of more than 30 enterprises to set up an Indian pavilion and participate in the First Glorious Spring Fair 2026. The delegation included importers, distributors, manufacturers and investors from the Central Silk Board as well as sectors such as footwear, furniture, handicrafts, machinery and consumer goods. Through practical working programmes in Vietnam, including meetings with the Vietnam Sericulture Association and factory visits, many Indian enterprises identified potential partners and highly appreciated Vietnam’s investment environment and production capacity.

From March 4 to 7, the office continued to support a delegation of Indian furniture enterprises led by FICCI to attend HawaExpo 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. The delegation joined B2B matchmaking sessions with Vietnamese companies and engaged in in-depth discussions on cooperation in furniture production, accessory supply, interior design, logistics and regional value chain development. This represents a concrete step in leveraging complementary strengths between the two economies, with Vietnam’s strong manufacturing and export capacity and India’s large market and diverse raw material base.

Indian business delegation at HawaExpo 2026 in Vietnam.

Organising seminars, business forums and trade promotion webinars

Alongside in-person promotion, the office has paid special attention to providing market information and supporting enterprises through seminars, forums and specialised webinars. In a context where businesses require timely updates on policies and market trends, online formats help expand outreach, reduce costs and improve communication efficiency.

On January 14, 2026, the office organised a webinar introducing cooperation opportunities between Vietnam and India in textiles and garments, footwear, furniture and consumer goods through the First Glorious Spring Fair 2026. The programme attracted strong interest from Indian associations, enterprises and importers, contributing to promoting Vietnam’s trade promotion activities.

On March 18, the office, in coordination with the investment promotion agency of Karnataka, held an online seminar on investment opportunities in the state for Vietnamese enterprises. The event drew around 30 Vietnamese companies, including major corporations in industries such as manufacturing, aviation, tourism, technology and food. Karnataka is one of India’s most dynamic states, home to numerous high-tech hubs and global corporations, offering direct access for Vietnamese businesses to explore investment opportunities.

On March 19, the office organised a webinar to update participants on India’s Union Budget 2026, analysing changes in tariffs, investment, logistics, industry and consumption. These in-depth insights help Vietnamese enterprises proactively develop export strategies, select suitable sectors and manage trade risks.

In sectoral cooperation, on January 27, the office worked with the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI), the Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association and local enterprises to promote links with Vietnam’s footwear industry. The two sides discussed cooperation in raw materials, human resource training, design, technology transfer and supply chain development. This is a highly promising area, as Vietnam is a major global exporter of footwear while India has abundant raw materials and a large consumer market.

A notable highlight in the first quarter of 2026 was the successful organisation of the Vietnam - India Electronics and Information Technology Business Forum 2026 in New Delhi on March 23, in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in India. The forum attracted more than 130 enterprises and leaders of around 20 major associations from both countries. Key areas of cooperation discussed included electronics manufacturing, data centres, AI, IoT, software outsourcing, cybersecurity and digital workforce training.

Following the forum, on March 25, the office facilitated the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) and the Services Export Promotion Council of India (SEPC). This marks an important milestone, opening a long-term cooperation framework in information technology and digital services between the business communities of the two countries.